Syracuse police arrest two suspects in University-area burglaries

Syracuse, N.Y. -- A burglar caught in the act at a Syracuse residence claimed he was borrowing a friend’s laptop. He then gave it back and fled, but was caught later the same day, police said.

Devin Edwards, 18, of 114 Liberty St, Syracuse, and Marisa Sewall, 22, of 309 S. Wilbur Ave., Syracuse, were arrested and charged with two burglaries that occurred on Thursday, and police believe they may be connected to as many as six other burglaries that have occurred in the University area since September.

Both are charged with second-degree burglary, fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, criminal possession of burglar tools and petit larceny. They are being held at the Onondaga County Justice Center.

After a burglar was confronted at 867 Ackerman Ave., the victim asked the suspect to name a friend. The burglar provided a false name, and the victim said nobody with that name lived there.

The suspect drove off in a white SUV, and the victim wrote down the license plate number and called 911. Syracuse University Department of Public Safety officers in the area saw the vehicle, and with the assistance of the Syracuse Police Department they stopped the vehicle in the 200 block of Ostrom Avenue. The suspects were taken into custody and interviewed by detectives.

The suspects have been arrested for burglaries at 867 Ackerman and 823 Ackerman Ave, both reported on Thursday. They admitted to being involved in four other burglaries in the University area.

Detectives have also recovered stolen property from a burglary at 933 Ackerman Ave. that was reported on Feb. 20. Sewall and Edwards also are suspects in burglaries at 839 Ackerman, which was reported on Feb. 20, and 136 Redfield Place, which was reported on Sept. 2, 2011.

These burglaries, and several others, are under investigation. Detectives have recovered numerous stolen electronic items and computers in connection with this case. This investigation is active and ongoing.

Other charges are pending and efforts are being made to recover more of the stolen property. Anyone with information on these burglaries or this stolen property is asked to contact the Syracuse Police Department at 442-5222. All calls will be kept confidential.